Aikido is a major martial art born out of the Japanese Culture. Aikido was officially recognized by the Japanese Government in 1940. Aikido is tied to the name of O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, who had reached a superior level in the study of the traditional Japanese Martial Arts.

"I have dedicated myself to the study of budo...", said Morihei Ueshiba. Through this study, Morihei Ueshiba understood that one should not be attracted solely by the perfection of a technique, but rather one should seek and treasure that which is in harmony with nature and in conformity with the universal laws. One should strive to bring peace and friendship into the world.

Born out of the desire to bring balance between the human mind and body and the Universal Energy, Aikido is not simply a sport in the western sense of the word. The development of the body, of the mind and the accumulation of cultural knowledge are qulities that, together, help in the study of the Martial Art or, one could say, open the path towards understanding of the Universal Spirituality.

The demeanor of the Aikido practitioner leaves an impression of ease, even of complicity between himself and his partners. The simplicity through which the aggressors are rendered unable to continue fighting seems so natural and harmonious that one may be tempted to think it was all carefully choreographed beforehand. Behind this supposed "choreography" lays in fact constant practice and assiduous training.

A literal translation of the word gives us the following definition: Aikido is the way or the method (DO) through which the human mind and body become harmonious (AI) with the Universal Energy (KI)..

Aikido is a high level of combat, in which the efficiency of the technique does not become manifest through the destruction brought to the opponent, but rather through "the art of stopping the sword". This art seeks to convince the assailant to reflect whether his aggressive action was justified. Aikido technique can cause pain, but one that is not brutal and that is always controlled, dosed, such that it becomes unbearable if the opponent refuses the follow an imposed trajectory or tries to resist the movement.

Aikido's founder, O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, referring to his art, once said: "Aikido is not an art of fighting and defeating an opponent. It's spirit is to bring peace and harmony to the world... Harm is not something we should run away from, but rather something that should be turned into good".

Aikido is the manifestation in martial arts of the principle of non-violence. It shows us the essence of the word "budo", that really means "to stop the weapons". It shows the goodness and kindness of our hearts.

Aikido can be practiced at any age. It is a manifestation of non-violence and harmony that does not tire the human being, but charges it with new energy assuring complete balance.

George Raicu